4 year old won't eat - help!

[CastleInTheSky]

My son is driving me crazy! Every week another food-stuff is struck off his "things I eat" list; we are now down to pasta, pitta bread with jam and fruit (any but bananas). Is this normal?

He ate a very good diet until he was about 2 1/4 when he became more fussy. OK, I thought, this is a phase, right?! Well, how long is this bloody phase supposed to last and when is he going to snap out of it? Until about 2 months ago he still ate carrots, peas and sweetcorn, but one by one they went the way of nearly all food: "don't like it" and huge tantrums if one kernel of sweetcorn found it's way onto his plate.

I am trying not to let this affect my daughters diet too. She is 21 months old and - bless her - eats absolutely everything but of course as her brother refuses most foods, I am no longer cooking everything. Also, my DS was eating everything at her age, so is she next to follow in his footsteps?

The one saving grace is my son's love for fruit, but sometimes his lunch consists of nothing but satsumas.

Any advice is very welcome! Thanks in advance.

My DD is also 4 and she too used to be a good eater, but has recently drastically cut down on what she's prepared to eat. If she could live off white bread and fish fingers she would.

Personally, I try not to worry about it too much. I know it's just a phase and it is my job to get her through until she is prepared to be more adventurous in her eating.
I refuse to make any special meals for her. I make her 3 meals a day and it is up to her whether or not she chooses to eat what's on her plate. If she goes hungry for a meal, that's her choice.
In our house too there are issues if an undesired food stuff touches her plate.

Her diet is not quite as rich in fruit and vef as I'd like,(Recently she has started refusing all fruit except bananas.) but I don't think it's too bad overall and I know there's not point in fighting it and making an issue of it.

I try to make things like lasagne and cottage pie, which go down well, but into which I can smuggle loads of veg without her noticing. If I make a cake or a pudding, it is always fruity.

I too have a younger DS who is currently a pretty good eater. He doesn't seem influenced by his sister yet, but he is showing signs of becoming picky of his own accord.

I think it is just a phase we all have to deal with.